Apr 28, 2016 | Breaking News, Gaming, General News
Marksville, La. April 28, 2016 – The Tunica-Biloxi Gaming Authority, the owner and operator of the Paragon Casino Resort, announced today that it has retained Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority (MTGA), operator of Mohegan Sun properties throughout the United States, to provide gaming, hospitality and entertainment consulting services to its Marksville facility, beginning April 30, 2016.
MTGA operates two of the most successful gaming and entertainment destinations in the United States, Mohegan Sun in Connecticut and Mohegan Sun Pocono in Pennsylvania. MTGA is credited with advancing the once struggling Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, into record profitability over the four years that is has served under its management and investment contract. MTGA’s venture with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe of Washington State will introduce the $500-million-dollar casino project that will be the West Coast’s premier gaming, dining, entertainment and meeting destination slated to open in 2017. MTGA was recently awarded a license from the Korean Government to develop and build a first-of-its-kind integrated resort at Incheon International Airport in Korea.
Tunica-Biloxi Gaming Authority’s Marshall Ray Sampson Sr. said the agreement is in the best interests of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. “We are looking forward to working with MTGA because of the valuable experience they will bring to our operations. They will improve our customer experience, which is our highest priority,” he said.
“In the state of Louisiana, we are known for our food, fun and optimum level of service that is unmatched anywhere else in the country,” said Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana Chairman Joey P. Barbry. “With the help of the MTGA, we will be able to reinforce this concept, exceed expectations of Louisiana as a whole and showcase Marksville as a premier gaming and entertainment destination.”
“This is an important day for MTGA and for Indian Country as a whole, as our agreement with the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe provides further evidence of Indian Country’s willingness to work together and share gaming expertise to attain the mutual benefits of self-sufficiency and diversification,” said Bobby Soper, President of MTGA.
About the Tunica-Biloxi Gaming Authority
The Tunica-Biloxi Gaming Authority, or TBGA, is an unincorporated governmental agency of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. TBGA owns and operates the Paragon Casino Resort located in Marksville, Louisiana.
About the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana
The Tunica-Biloxi people first appeared in the Mississippi Valley. In the late 1700s, they settled near Marksville, where they were skilled traders and entrepreneurs. Today, the Tribe has more than 1,200 members throughout the United States, primarily in Louisiana, Texas and Illinois. The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe received federal recognition in 1981 for its reservation within the boundaries of Louisiana. The tribe owns and operates the Paragon Casino Resort, the largest employer in Central Louisiana. Through its compact, negotiated by the late Tribal Chairman Earl J. Barbry, Sr. and the State of Louisiana, the Tribe has been able to assist local governments in the area with its quarterly distribution of funds, totaling more than $40 million over two decades. For more information about the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, visit www.tunica.org and “like” us on Facebook.
About Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority
MTGA is an instrumentality of the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, or the Tribe, a Native American Tribe with an approximately 544-acre reservation situated in southeastern Connecticut. MTGA has been granted the exclusive authority to conduct and regulate gaming activities on the existing reservation of the Tribe, including the operation of Mohegan Sun, a gaming and entertainment complex located on a 185-acre site on the Tribe’s reservation. Through its subsidiary, Downs Racing, L.P., MTGA also owns and operates Mohegan Sun Pocono, a gaming and entertainment facility located on a 400-acre site in Plains Township, Pennsylvania. MTGA also manages Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City and The Cowlitz Project in the state of Washington. More information about MTGA and its properties can be obtained by visiting www.mohegansun.com, www.mohegansunpocono.com, www.resortsac.com, www.cowlitzcasino.com or www.mtga.com.
Feb 26, 2016 | Breaking News, Gaming, General News
The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority (MTGA) operator of Mohegan Sun properties throughout the United States, along 
with partners KCC Corporation and Incheon International Airport Corp (IIAC) have been awarded a license from the Korean Government to develop and build a first-of-its-kind integrated resort at Incheon International Airport in Korea.
“We are pleased with the Korean Government’s decision to award us the opportunity to help fulfill their vision of driving economic development by growing tourism, creating jobs, and showcasing Korean culture via the integrated resort,” said Bobby Soper, President of MTGA following the decision.
“KCC is thrilled that its partnership with the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority has been awarded the opportunity to develop this exciting and transformative integrated resort which will be instrumental in bringing new generations of tourists to Incheon,” said KCC Chairman Chung Mong-Jin.
Mr. Chung Il-young, CEO of the Incheon International Airport Corporation noted, “We deeply appreciate the careful review that the Korean Government has conducted on this bold new initiative for tourism in Korea. Its selection of the Inspire project at IBC-II is wonderful news for the Incheon region and will serve as a catalyst for growth in the airport development zone for years to come.”
Mohegan Sun’s multi-phase development project named Project Inspire is expected to include, but not be limited to the following features:
- Three-tower luxury hotel complex with 1,350 five star and six star guest rooms
- Over 20,000 square meters of the most sought after luxury retail brands in the world and over 20 food and beverage concepts
- A 4,500 sq meters Korean cosmetics and beauty hub, promoting Korea’s dominance in Asia in this area
- The largest entertainment arena in South Korea with capacity for up to 15,000 attendants for Class-A acts, cultural and arena sport events that have become synonymous with Mohegan Sun properties
- A Paramount Studios Themed Indoor-Outdoor amusement park with 100,000 sq. meters of the latest high-tech amusement rides
- A 33,000 square meter Eco Adventure Park featuring the latest in indoor rock climbing, zip lining, an indoor rainforest, and an archaeology experience
- A 20,000 square meter casino with 250 tables and 1,500 slot machines
- The first and only destination resort in the world with an adjacent private air terminal (FBO)
Phase I of Project Inspire is estimated at US$1.6 billion, with a commitment total of US$5 billion over multiple phases.
Mohegan Sun is joined by Miura Holdings Asia, a multi-purpose investment vehicle focused on gaming, hotel and food & beverage activities in the United States & Asia, as part of the development team. Consummation of the conceptual agreement and development of the project is subject to certain governmental and regulatory approvals.
ABOUT MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY
MTGA is an instrumentality of the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, or the Tribe, a Native American Tribe with an approximately 544-acre reservation situated in southeastern Connecticut. MTGA has been granted the exclusive authority to conduct and regulate gaming activities on the existing reservation of the Tribe, including the operation of Mohegan Sun, a gaming and entertainment complex located on a 185-acre site on the Tribe’s reservation. Through its subsidiary, Downs Racing, L.P., MTGA also owns and operates Mohegan Sun Pocono, a gaming and entertainment facility located on a 400-acre site in Plains Township, Pennsylvania. MTGA also manages Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City and The Cowlitz Project in Washington. More information about MTGA and its properties can be obtained by visiting www.mohegansun.com, www.mohegansunpocono.com, www.resortsac.com, www.cowlitzcasino.com or www.mtga.com.
ABOUT INCHEON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CORP
Incheon Airport is one of the best airports in the world, which records 8th place in international passenger traffic and 2nd in cargo traffic. Incheon Airport rated 1st on Airport Service Quality Service conducted by ACI for 10 consecutive years. Incheon Airport is currently under 3rd phase construction which includes building a new terminal that opens 2018. More information about the Incheon Airport can be obtained by visiting www.airport.kr/eng/.
ABOUT KCC CORPORATION
KCC Corporation is a construction products company based in Korea that concentrates on developing high value-added products based on high energy efficiency and environmentally friendly technology. It produces general construction/industrial materials, paints and silicone and has built its reputation on delivering the highest quality materials nationally and internationally.
Jan 27, 2016 | Breaking News, Employment, General News
La Center, Wash., – January 27, 2016 – The Cowlitz Indian Tribe, in collaboration with their partner, Mohegan
Sun, announced today that Kara Fox-LaRose has been appointed General Manager of the Cowlitz Project, the $500-million-dollar casino project that will be the West Coast’s premier gaming, dining, entertainment and meeting destination. With over 20 years of gaming and hospitality experience, Fox-LaRose will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the facility slated to open in spring 2017.
“We’re thrilled to appoint Kara Fox-LaRose to General Manager of the Cowlitz Tribe’s project,” said Bill Iyall, Chairman, Cowlitz Tribe. “She is a highly accomplished professional with deep experience in the gaming and entertainment industry, and we’re looking forward to having her leadership here in Southwest Washington. Her expertise in entertainment marketing, operational leadership and community building will be an incredible asset to our work here to advance the economy and vitality of the community.”
In her most recent role, Fox-LaRose served as Assistant General Manager of Mohegan Sun Pocono (MSP), in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Named one of ‘America’s Best Employers, 2015’ by Forbes, MSP was Pennsylvania’s first casino, opening in November 2006, and exceeding the Commonwealth’s expectation in revenues and profitability. She was directly responsible for the planning and execution of a multi-million-dollar expansion that introduced a hotel, convention center, spa and lobby bar in 2013. In addition to being named one of Northeastern Pennsylvania Business Journal’s ‘Top 25 Women in Business,’ Global Gaming Business Magazine also recently named Fox-LaRose one of their 2016 ‘25 People to Watch.’
“Kara’s experience in various levels of management throughout her career at Mohegan Sun has readied her for this opportunity to lead the Cowlitz Tribe and Mohegan Sun in our joint effort to establish a premier entertainment and meeting destination,” said Bobby Soper, President of Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority (MTGA). “Her holistic appreciation of the business makes her the ideal candidate to introduce to the project the optimal business management practices that Mohegan Sun has to offer its valued partners.”
Over the next few months, efforts will be focused on developing the property’s brand, establishing the executive management team, securing retail and dining vendors and connecting with the community.
ABOUT THE COWLITZ TRIBE
The Cowlitz Tribe, headquartered in Longview, Wash., is a federally recognized tribe with over 4,000 tribal members. Since 2015, the Cowlitz Tribe has 152 acres of reservation land in Southwest Washington. The tribe is proud to provide health and human services to its tribal members, from housing assistance to education scholarships to award-winning health programs. More information is available by visiting www.cowlitz.org.
ABOUT THE COWLITZ PROJECT
The Cowlitz Project will be a premier entertainment, dining and meeting destination in the Pacific Northwest. Located in the heart of Southwest Washington off of the I-5 La Center exit, the 368,000-square-foot casino resort will include 100,000 square feet of gaming space, over 15 restaurants and retails shops, and eventually a 2,500-seat entertainment venue. More information is available by visiting www.cowlitzcasino.com.
ABOUT MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY
The Authority is an instrumentality of the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, or the Tribe, a federally recognized Indian tribe with an approximately 595-acre reservation situated in southeastern Connecticut, adjacent to Uncasville, Connecticut. The Authority has been granted the exclusive authority to conduct and regulate gaming activities on the existing reservation of the Tribe, including the operation of Mohegan Sun, a gaming and entertainment complex located on an approximately 185-acre site on the Tribe’s reservation. Through its subsidiary, Downs Racing, L.P., the Authority also owns and operates Mohegan Sun Pocono, a gaming and entertainment facility located on an approximately 400-acre site in Plains Township, Pennsylvania. MTGA also manages Resorts Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. More information about the Authority and its properties can be obtained by visiting www.mohegansun.com, www.mohegansunpocono.com or www.mtga.com.
